Page 38 of Keeping Zita

She was joking about what happened, but Obi-Wan hadn’t realized she even knew what was going on behind her. He thought she was too focused on the woman choking in her arms. But he should’ve known she was aware on some level that there was a threat. Yet it hadn’t stopped her from doing her job in the moment.

His respect for her grew. In many ways, she was a lot like him and his teammates. Or the special forces soldiers they transported. Even when the shit was hitting the fan, they did their jobs, relying on their teammates to have their backs.

“You’re welcome. And we’re friends for now. Do I want more? Yes. Hell yes. Not a day has gone by since we’ve met that I haven’t thought about you. And trust me, that hasn’t happened in a very long time. But I don’t want a one-night stand.”

“Me either. But…we live on opposite sides of the country,” Zita said, looking a little upset about that.

“One day at a time, sweetheart. That’s all we can do. For now, food, movies, and talking. Maybe a kiss here and there.”

“Okay. I can live with that. Five o’clock.”

“Watch your six today,” Obi-Wan warned. “Carmen was humiliated back there. At least she thinks she was. She’s not happy, and I have no idea what she’ll do as a result.”

“I’m planning on staying out of her way for the rest of the day, for sure. Which won’t be hard, since I have a meeting with the producer and the set designer about safety on the secondary set. It’s important that Logan not be pushed too hard, physically or emotionally, as he films the scenes where he’s on the run and hiding in the woods. Actors and actresses can sometimes get too immersed in their roles and suffer as a result.”

This woman…she was good down to her bones. And every time she spoke, it felt as if Obi-Wan was falling harder for her. “That’s true. Especially considering what the pilot who actually was shot down went through. Okay, if you need anything, or if you need to change our plans, just let me know. I have a short meeting about something in the script, then I’ll be headed over to the hangar at the airport to look over the helicopters that’ll be used at the next location.”

“Thanks for the coffee, as usual,” Zita said, holding up the cup in a small salute.

“You’re welcome. Good job back there.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“Anything I should bring?”

They were prolonging their goodbye, but Obi-Wan didn’t even care. “Just yourself.”

“Okay. See you around five then.”

“Five.”

They stood there for a split second, and Obi-Wan wanted to lean down and kiss her more than he wanted to breathe. But they weren’t alone, people were walking all around them on the set, and the last thing he wanted to do was cause more gossip or make Zita feel uncomfortable.

As they stared at each other, she licked her lips as if she was thinking about the same thing he was.

“Bye,” he said, as he took a step backward.

“See ya.”

Forcing himself to turn around and walk away, Obi-Wan couldn’t stop himself from looking over his shoulder after a few steps…and he found Zita standing exactly where he’d left her, staring at him with a longing in her eyes that weakened his resolve not to kiss her. But he hadn’t endured years of training in patience for nothing.

He’d get to see her tonight. Spend time with her. Kiss her.

It would have to be enough for now.

Thankful that he’d hopefully seen the last of Carmen St. James and wouldn’t have to deal with her harassment any longer, Obi-Wan almost felt carefree as he headed for his meeting with the script supervisor. One week, then he’d get to the most interesting part of his job as military advisor.

Not only that, but he’d have a week off from meetings at the base, a week to spend with Zita. They’d both be working, but hopefully they’d be able to find time—more time than they had in the city—to hang out.

And of course, there was the week before filming began again, when the crew was traveling to the west side of the state and preparing the sets. Maybe he could convince Zita to remain in Norfolk, drive together to the new location. They’d have even more time to get to know each other.

Things were looking up, and even with the irritation of Carmen, Obi-Wan was thankful as hell for being where he was. For meeting Zita.

CHAPTER TEN

Zita was irritated. She’d had to deal with a call from a bigwig at the studio who wanted to know what the hell had happened that morning, and why she’d pushed Carmen around. It figured the bitch had called someone to complain, trying to get Zita fired. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had tried to say she’d done something inappropriate in regard to her medical care.